"Her irises had the texture of reptile scales, like small circles of crinkled foil or thin flakes of gold. They burned a radioactive, liquid, lime green that morphed into a murky mustard shade of yellow with the changing sunlight. Even her dense, muddy pupils were hypnotic with their way of dilating and stretching to inky black saucers when she was excited and shrinking to tiny, devilish slits when she was angry. She stood at five foot seven, a few inches shorter than myself with the slender body of a woman but the long, swishing tail and soft, fluffy head of a cat." This collection contains nine short stories which include elements of gothic horror, fantasy, science fiction, romance, tragedy, historical fiction, surrealism, folklore, fairytale and the paranormal. These pieces were written by 18-year-old English Literature and Writing student, Sophie McNaughton during her first year at university.
Ivy, a werewolf with the ability to choose her victims, arrives in the town of Doe Springs to eliminate the unsavory folks who reside there, but something else has taken up residence in the land, with an unconscionable appetite that targets the ones Ivy loves.
A girl abandoned by her mother discovers the feeling of family Pearl's mother, Ruby, just up and left her with Aunt Ivy, who's a complete stranger to Pearl. "Your mama's done gone off the deep end," Ivy says, and Pearl wonders if she'll ever come back - Ruby has always been wild and irresponsible. So Pearl is stuck with Aunt Ivy, and Moonpie, the neighbor boy whose mother doesn't want him, either, and John Dee, Aunt Ivy's Beau. But these three people seem to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, in a way that Pearl can't comprehend, and she feels left out. As she starts to understand what connects them, and how much she wants to be a part of it, Ruby appears. With a vividly depicted setting, emotional truth, and a distinctly Southern voice, Barbara O'Connor shows how Pearl develops a whole new notion of what she wants, and what she deserves.
The gripping epic fantasy adventure romance series reaches its stunning conclusion. The royal family shelters on the Isle while the Otherworld suffocates under the master’s rule. When Aurora and her seers declare it is time for the uncrowned king to reclaim his throne, William is eager to rejoin the fray but haunted by the choice he must make if he succeeds in his quest. Eli’s glittering football career is over. As he stares into the abyss of retirement, he recalls the only woman he has ever truly loved and makes a fateful decision that will change his life, and the lives of those he loves, forever. Aurora has embraced her destiny but her peace is shattered by the brutal manifestation of past visions. With dark forces threatening to invade the Isle and destroy the Akashic Records, Aurora must make a series of impossible choices that will echo through the ages and vibrate through every soul in existence. Ivy Moon is the third and final instalment in The Otherworld Chronicles, the gripping new epic fantasy series inspired by the legend of Avalon. If you like fated encounters, supernatural skills, and political treachery set in a world of medieval myth and magic, you’ll love Suze Harrison’s epic series. Perfect for fans of Samantha Shannon and Leigh Bardugo.
Sixteen captivating stories by one of America's most popular storytellers. Included are such classics as "The Gift of the Magi," "The Last Leaf," and "The Ransom of Red Chief."
1 Lost Tyson and some of his pack are acting as emissaries to other packs in the state when they suddenly spot something on the side of the road and he picks up the scent of blood. It’s a girl, lying in the road. She’s beaten and bloody. Alicia wakes up, can’t remember much other than her name and age. She’s hurt. Someone seems to have beat the daylights out of her. And she’s in someone else’s—a male’s—clothing. Then a rugged hot guy walks in. Now she realizes how lost she is. 2 Fear Wolf shifter Jeremy is haunted. He knew the woman wasn’t here, bleeding out in his arms. His blankets were shredded, as was the bed beneath them. He pushed the heels of his palms into his eyes. But the images of his nightmare remained seared into his mind. It wasn’t the first time he’d had that dream. The details changed, but it always ended the same—the woman dead before him. His woman. His mate. Dead. Scholar, folklore expert, and urban legend enthusiast Melanie Waters had chosen the southwestern corner of Montana. Lawless chaos reigned in the untamed vegetation. She hadn’t only trekked out here for the breathtaking landscape. She was hoping to find evidence of something far more interesting and darker. And dangerous. Out of the many stories that surrounded these mountains, there was one she’d latched onto, mostly thanks to an incident about a decade ago. She’d always had an interest in folklore and tall tales, thanks to the stories her mother told her growing up. But that night, oh that night, solidified her interest. Then the howling started. 3 Shadows Wolf shifter Derek spends his days healing other shifters and his nights dreaming about a woman who isn't real. One that returns to him nightly, only to leave him by morning with the knowledge that she isn't real. Ivy can't stop running. The moment she does, they'll catch up to her. Moving is key. Pain is a part of her every day life. Pain means she's still alive. Alive and able to fight back. She's forgotten how long she's been running this time. A day? Two? Three? She's losing count. She’d been born with a gift that had skipped the last few generations of her family. Her magic allowed her to travel into the dreams of others, create places such as this one, but she could also get inside a person’s head when they weren’t sleeping. Mess with their thoughts. Cause them pain. Cause them to go mad. Derek knows she's not real. She can't be. Yet she is. Is he losing it? Ivy has doubts. Had she reached out to a real person and gotten inside his head? She couldn’t have. Could she? 4 Change Get ready to embark on a journey of love, danger, and magic in this captivating shifter romance. Alpha Hamish senses trouble from a rival pack and has been on edge, patrolling the borders to their territory. But when he unexpectedly encounters Laura he is thrown into a whirlwind of emotions and a fight for survival. Laura has returned to this small town, desperate and out of options, hoping that Hamish can help her break a curse that has been placed on her family. With tensions mounting and the curse weakening Laura by the day, Hamish must use all of his connections with the supernatural world to break the curse and keep her safe. Join Hamish and Laura on their epic journey of love, fate, and the power of the full moon in this must-read shifter romance. 5 Trap Brooding wolf shifter Zane is on a mission to forget the past and drown his sorrows. But when the ghost of his lost love, Beth, appears on his doorstep, bleeding and alive, he is thrown into a world of danger and deceit. As Beth reveals the truth about her past and the coven of witches who seek her blood, Zane vows to protect her at all costs. With Beth by his side, Zane leads a pack of enforcers on a journey to take down the coven and seek revenge for the murdered shifters. As they face danger and their feelings for each other deepen, Zane and Beth must fight for their lives and their love. Will they emerge victorious and finally find happiness together, or will the coven's wrath prove too much to bear? Find out in this thrilling tale of love, loyalty, and supernatural battles.
"Four Short Stories: THE MILLER’S DAUGHTER" by Émile Zola offers a compelling glimpse into French society through a collection of novellas that epitomize realism and naturalism. Set against the backdrop of Parisian society, Zola delves deep into the intricacies of human nature, morality, and relationships, presenting character studies that are both vivid and profound. Through meticulous observation and social commentary, Zola exposes the complexities of life in 19th-century France, exploring the passions, desires, and tragedies that shape the lives of his characters. From the eponymous NANA, a captivating courtesan whose rise and fall mirror the excesses of society, to the ordinary individuals grappling with moral dilemmas and societal expectations, Zola's narratives resonate with authenticity and depth. As a master of realism, Zola's portrayal of Parisian life is gritty and unapologetic, offering readers a raw and unfiltered view of the human condition. Through the lens of tragedy and passion, he delves into the darker aspects of society, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the consequences of societal decadence."Four Short Stories: NANA" stands as a timeless example of French literature, showcasing Zola's unparalleled talent for capturing the essence of life with unflinching honesty and insight.
On August 26, 1835, a fledgling newspaper called the Sun brought to New York the first accounts of remarkable lunar discoveries. A series of six articles reported the existence of life on the moon -- including unicorns, beavers that walked on their hind legs, and four-foot-tall flying man-bats. In a matter of weeks it was the most broadly circulated newspaper story of the era, and the Sun, a working-class upstart, became the most widely read paper in the world. An exhilarating narrative history of a divided city on the cusp of greatness, and tale of a crew of writers, editors, and charlatans who stumbled on a new kind of journalism, The Sun and the Moon tells the surprisingly true story of the penny papers that made America a nation of newspaper readers.
